Rail brake for railway cars



1 645,741 1927 1'. ELLIOTT RAIL BRAKE FOR RAILWAY CARS Filed Aug. 5. 1926 3 Sheets-She at 1 Pfi m u; mum

INVENTOR. Tuamaslluorr,

A TTORNEYS.

Filed Au. 5. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNI-J'S.

192 7 T. ELLIOTT RAIL BRAKE FOR RAILWAY CARS Filed Ana. 5. 1926 3 Sh etshee 3 INVENTOR. 'manms ELLIOTT;

BY fig, g-Q

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES THOMAS ELLIOTT, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

RAIL BRAKE FOB RAILWAY CABS.

Application filed August 5, 1926. Serial No. 127,452.

the shoes and the rails acting to draw the shoes into what might be called a third position, that in which they are in contact with the rails to effect the braking action.

This major object is efi'ected through the use of mechanism comprising, generally, an attachment to the railway truck in the na ture of a housing containing electric magnets and carrying rail shoes. with a spring equipment to suspend the shoes at a safe distance from the rails but which is yieldable to permit the shoes to be adjusted to their magnetic position and thence to their contact with the rails; and of a solenoid which, when energized, operates through intermediate devices, in the nature of levers, to cause the brake shoes to be adjusted from their normal position to one within the magnetic field, and from the latter position the spring equipment permits the brake shoes to yield to the magnetic influences caused by energizing said magnets and to move down to braking contact with the rails as above stated.

And the mechanism embraced in this invention includes also a switch device operable when an electric circuit is closed, as by a certain positioning of the motormans air brake valve, at which time the switch device operates to first close the solenoid circuit which acts to position the brake shoes as above stated, while by a further movement of the switch device the magnet circuit is closed and thesolenoid circuit is o sued to create a magnetic field within w ich the shoes have passed and by the influence of which they are made to grab the rails.

And this invention further comprehends various features of arrangement and constructionas will hereinafter be pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the switch circuit, the switch device and a motormans valve, as also a solenoid circuit, a magnetic brake circuit and the brake P p Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional view of the relay solenoid;

Figure 2 is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale. of a truck and my improved rail brake mounted thereon, the normal position of the shoes being indicated in full lines, the upper dotted lines indicating the magnetic field position and the lower dotted lines the rail contact or braking position;

Figure 3 is a detail view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the magnet housing and shoes with the supporting beam and of the positioning solenoid and its lever devices with the supporting bracket.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the housing for the magnets for creating the magnetic field, with part of the truck beam shown in section;

Figure 5 is a detail transverse sectional view of the magnet housing and the shoes. the section being taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 6;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the casing and contained magnets showing one of the shoes in side elevation.

In Figure 1 I have illustrated, in diagrammatical form, what I would term a switch circuit indicated at 1, comprising line wires 2, leading from a battery 3 to any suitable device for closing the gap indicated at 4 between'the circuit wires 2, as for instance, the motormans air valve 5. The valve handle is equipped with a switch 6 in the nature of a plate projecting down to close or open this gap so as to close the circuit or open it.

I have further illustrated what I would term a solenoid circuit indicated generally at 7 leading to the solenoid 8 which is utilized to ad ust the shoes to the appropriate position with res act to the rails as will hereinafter more ully appear. One terminal of the solenoid circuit is grounded as indicated at 9, and the other terminal leads to the trolley circuit indicated at 10, with a suitable resistance coil 11 interposed. This solenoid circuit is normally open at 12 but adapted to be closed by a switch 13, in the nature of a contact iece adapted to make contact with these wires and close the p 12 when the switch circuit 2 is closed. at I yould term a relay solenoid 14 operates this switch device. 13 and tends to position the switch device to make contact, first, to fill the gap 12 to close the solenoid circuit; then fill the gap 15 to close the magnet circuit 16 and then open the solenoid circuit. One branch of the magnet circuit connects with the trolle circuit, and the other is grounded, as in icated generally at 17 The magnets 18 shown in Figure 6am in this magnet circuit, being contained in the housin 19.

I; will now be understood that when the switch circuit is closed, the switch 13 will in turn close the solenoid circuit to energize the solenoid 18 which, throu h mechanism hereinafter to be described, W111 act to position the brake shoes from their normal position to one uite near the rails and within the magnetic eld created by ener izing the ma etc 18 through the closing 0 the magnetic brake circuit b the further movement of the switch 13; an that when the shoes are in this latter position and the field about them is magnetlzed, they will instantly move by this magnetic influence to their rail-contact position to effect the braking connection.

I have found that these electric brakes, so constituted, are effective in their braking action regardless of weather conditions such as when the rails are wet from rain or coated with ice. In the latter case the shoes quickly cut through the ice by their extended contact with the rails, where they bear on the upper face thereof with an aggregate pressure equal to about 4000 pounds exerted by the two shoes carried by one truck.

I would particularly emphasize as the dominant feature -of this invention the positioning and main nance in such position of the rail shoes in t e described normal osition, the magnetic-field positioning 0 the brake shoes by the solenoid action, and the final brakin position of the shoes by the creating of t e magnetic field as described. This successive sitioning of the brake shoes and the e ecting of the rail contact by the shoes through ma etic influence on the shoes are dominant eatures of this invention.

Referring now to the illustrated structural features, attention is first directed to Figure 2 where a conventional or other form of railway truck is shown to whose side frame generally indicated at 20 I attach the brake mechanism. The latter comprises a housing consisting of side plates 21 eld toggthahi bolts 22 which constitute the cores of the magnets 18. Between the plates 21 I place a casing in the nature of a band of metal shown at 23 and within which I place the wire windings which with the cores 22 constitute the magnets which when energized by an electric current create the magnetic field by reason of the resulting magnetizing of the plates 21 and the shoes 24. These shoes are connected to ether by straps 25 secured to the shoes by bolts 26, and so may be readil renewed when worn out or if broken. hese bolts pass through the projectin ends 27 of the side plates 21 and down mto the threaded o nings in the shoes to receive them. The bo ts thus connect together the shoes, the side plates. and the yokes, and render the shoes removable when worn or broken.

In order to mount the housing, generally indicated at 19, slidably on the side frame 20 I provide one of the plates 21 with guides 28 which fit within the ways 29 in the side plates 20 as best shown in Figures 3 and 4. This construction also puts the drag strains of the shoes on the side-frame of the truck.

Springs 30 are anchored at their lower ends, as shown at 31, to the connecting straps 25 and at their upper ends to lates 32 secured to the transoms 33, wit adjusting and locking nuts 34 to adjust the tension of the springs and lock the fastening.

Thus it will be seen that the housing 19 constructed in the manner before described is suspended by the springs 30 so that the connected shoes 24 may be first held in their normal position as shown in full lines in Figures 2 and 3; but may be depressed to their next. position indicated by the dotted lines 24 which brings them within the influence of the magnetic field created when the magnets 18 are energized; and from which position indicated at 24 they are magnetically drawn down against the top face of the rail as indicated at 24" in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring again to Figure 6, it will be seen that the chamber within the general housing 19 is filled with a waterproof material, which in practice is poured into the chamber through an opening 19 and which material efl'ectually protects these magnets 18 from water and weather conditions generally. One of the terminals 20- is grounded and the other 20" runs to the trolley circuit.

I will now refer to the solenoid mechanism by which the shoes are moved against the tension of the springs 30 from their normal full line position shown in Figure 3 to their magnetic field position shown at 24 in that figure and whence they are snapped down to the rails to the position shown at 24" in said figure.-

A hanger 35 is secured at its ends to the ransoms 33 as by bolts and nuts 36, as best seen in Figure 2. On this hanger is mounted the solenoid 37 of conventional type. such as composed of a spool 38 on which is wound the wire 39 with a core 40 within the spool. seated upon a coil spring 41 whose function isto maintain the core in magnetic contact with the lever 42 so that when the solenoid is energized and the core 7 is drawn magnetically to its natural position ically draw the lever 42 downward and cause it in turn to effect a downward movement of the lever 43 to depress the shoes 24 against the tension of the springs 30. A connection must be formed between the levers 42 and 43. Preferably this connection consists of a bolt 44 whose head rests on the lever 43 through which the bolt passes and whence it passes through the lever 42. An adjusting nut 45 held by a lock nut 46 makes'it possible to adjust the relation of the levers 42 and 43 so that the levers will be given the appropriate movement when the core of the solenoid is magnetically drawn downward taking with it the lever 42.

Thus it will be seen and understood that my invention provides mechanism by which the shoes are suspended normally at a safe distance from the rails, so that they will not foul with the rails by reason of any up and down motions of the truck due to the travelling of the wheels over the rails; and vet that the shoes are capable instantly of being given a new position by the magnetic action of a solenoid. the new position being such that the shoes are within a magnetic field created by magnets associated with the shoe supports so as to magnetize these shoes: and from which latter position the shoes are magnetically carried to and maintained in forcible contact with the rails.

It will further be understood that when the shoes are to be released from the rails, the operator opens the switch circuit 2. as by actuating the motormans valve 5, which releases the contact device 13 from the influence of the relay solenoid 14 and permits the expansion spring 14 within the solenoid. as shown in Figure l", to reverse the travel of the switch device 13 to open both the magnet circuit and the solenoid circuit whereby the contact will stand in the position shown in Figure 1.

And in particular it will be seen and understood that within the meaning of this invention the brake shoes are normally held at a safe distance from the rails but are capable of being repositioned so as to come within the range of the magnetic field so that they will be magnetically drawn against the rails.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a rail brake, the combination with brake shoes of mechanism to suspend the shoes normallya safe distance from the rails, magnets to magnetize the shoes, and other mechanism connected to overcome the suspension mechanism and position the shoes with respect to the rails within the magnetic field, whence the shoes are attracted to and against the rails.

2. In a rail brake, the combination with brake shoes, of mechanism to suspend the shoes normally a safe distance from the rails, electrical mechanism consisting of magnets to magnetize the shoes, and a solenoid to position the shoes within magnetic range of the rails, whence the shoes are attracted to and against the rails.

3. In a rail brake. the combination. with a casing comprising brake shoes, magnets to magnetize them and springs to suspend the casing to normally position the shoes a safe distance from the rails, of a solenoid and lever devices actuated thereby and adapted to depress the casing to overcome the spring tension and position the shoes within the magnetic field adjacent the rails, whence the shoes are attracted to and against the rails.

4. In a rail brake, the combination with a truck having side frames. of brake shoes slidably mounted on the side frames, devices to normally position the shoes a safe distance from the rails, magnets to magnetize the shoes. and other devices to position the shoes within the magnetic field adjacent the rails, whence the shoes are attracted to and against the rails.

5. In a rail brake, the combination with a truck having side frames, of casings mounted slidably on said frames, magnets carried by said casings, shoes connected to the casmgs and springs. acting to suspend the shoes normally a safe distance from the rails. solenoids and lever devices in contact with the casings and operable by the solenoids to overcome the spring tension and position the shoes within the magnetic field adjacent the rails, whence the shoes are attracted to and against the rails.

6. In a rail brake, the combination with a truck having side frames, of casings slidably mounted on said framesmagnets within the casings, shoes connected to the casings, and a suspending spring at each end of each casing to suspend the same and main tain the shoes normally a safe distance from the rails, solenoids carried by the truck frame, and two-part lever devices carried by each solenoid support, one part engaging with the casing and the other part in magnetic contact with the core of the adjacent solenoid. and connections between the two parts of the lever devices to cause one part to actuate the other through the magnetic action of the solenoid to position the shoes within the magnetic field adiacent the rails. whence the shoes 'are directed to and against the rails.

7. In a rail brake, the combination with a truck having side frames provided with vertical ways, of casings mounted slidably on the way of each side frame, magnets carried within said casings and adapted to magnetize till) the casings, shoes connected to each casing and adapted also to be magnetized, coil springs connected to the ends of each casing and supported at their other ends by the transoms of the truck frame, whereby the shoes are slidably suspended a safe distance above the rails, and brackets secured to the transoms, a solenoid carried,by each bracket, two levers carried by each bracket, an adjustable connection between them, one lever engaging the adjacent casing to osltlon the shoes and the other lever adapte to be mags netically operated by the ad acent solenoid.

8. In a rail brake, the combination with brake shoes, mechanism to suspend the shoes normally a safe distance from the rails, electrical mechanism consisting of magnets to magnetize the shoes and a solenoid to position the shoes within magnetic range of the rails, whence the shoes are attracted to and against the rails, of an electric brake circuit for said magnets, a solenoid clrcuitfor said solenoid, each of these circuits being normally open, and a switch circuit adapted when closed to actuate a switch device to close the solenoid circuit, and then to close the brake circuit, whereby the solenoid will act to position the shoes within the magnetic field adjacent the rail and whereby said magnets will magnetize the shoes.

9. In a rail brake, the combination'with brake shoes, mechanism to suspend the shoes normally a safe distance from the rails, electrical mechanism consisting of magnets to magnetize the shoes and a solenoid to position the shoes within magnetic range of the rails, whence-the shoes are attracted to and against the rails, of an electric brake circuit for said magnets, a solenoid circuit for said solenoid, each of these circuits bein nor mally open, and a switch circuit adapted when closed to actuate a switch device to close the solenoid circuit, and then to close the brake circuit, whereby the solenoid will act to position the shoes within the magnetic field adjacent the rail, and whereby said magnets will ma netize the shoes.

10. In a rail rake, the combination with a casing comprising brake shoes, magnets to magnetize them and springs to'suspend the caslng to normally osition the shoes a safe distance from the rails, a solenoid and a lever device actuated thereby and adapted to depress the casing to overcome the spring ten- 810D and osition the shoes within the magnetic field adjacent the rails, whence the shoes are attracted to and against the rails, of'an electric brake circuit, for said magnets and a solenoid circuit for said solenoid, each of these circuits being normally open, and a manually-controlled switch circuit including a relay solenoid and a switch device operated b such solenoid when the switch circuit is c osed to cause the switch device to close the solenoid circuit and then to close the brake circuit- In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

THOMAS ELLIOTT.

the casings, shoes connected to each casing and adapted also to be magnetized, coil springs connected to the ends of each casing and supported at their other ends by the transoms of the truck frame, whereby the shoes are slidably suspended a safe .distance above the rails, and brackets secured to the transoms, a solenoid carried by each bracket, two levers carried by each bracket, an adjustable connection between them, one lever engaging the adjacent casing to osition the shoes and the other lever ada te to be magnetically operated by the adyacent solenoid.

8. In a rail brake, the combination with brake shoes, mechanism to suspend the shoes normally a safe distance from the rails, electrical mechanism consisting of magnets to magnetize the shoes and a solenoid to position the shoes within magnetic range of the rails. whence the shoes are attracted to and against the rails, of an electric brake circuit for said magnets, a solenoid circuit for said solenoid, each of these circuits being normally open, and a switch circuit adapted when closed to actuate a switch device to close the solenoid circuit, and then to close the brake circuit, whereby the solenoid will act to position the shoes within the magnetic field adjacent the rail and whereby said magnets will magnetize the shoes.

9. In a rail brake, the combination'with brake shoes, mechanism to suspend the shoes normally a safe distance from the rails, electrical mechanism consisting of magnets to magnetize the shoes and a solenoid to position the shoes within magnetic range of the rails, whence the shoes are attracted to and against the rails, of an electric brake circuit for said magnets, a solenoid circuit for said solenoid, each of these circuits being nor mally open. and a switch circuit adapted when closed to actuate a switch device to close the solenoid circuit, and then to close the brake circuit, whereby the solenoid will act to position the shoes within the magnetic field adjacent the rail, and whereby said magnets will magnetize the shoes.

10. In a rail brake, the combination with a casing comprising brake shoes, magnets to magnetize them and springs to suspend the casing to normally position the shoes a safe distance from the rails, a solenoid and a lever device actuated thereby and adapted to depress the casing to overcome the spring tension and (position the shoes Within the magnetic fiel adjacent the rails, whence the shoes are attracted to and against the rails, of an electric brake circuit for said magnets and a solenoid circuit for said solenoid, each of these circuits being normally open, and a manually-controlled switch circuit includmg a relay solenoid and a switch device operated bly such solenoid when the switch circuit is c osed to cause the switch device to close the solenoid circuit and then to close the brake circuit.

. In testimony whereof, I aliix my signature.

THOMAS ELLIOTT.

DISCLAIMER 1,645,741.Thomac Eu'ioti, Birmingh Patent dated October 18, 1927.

assignee, The Gincinnati Traction Hereby enters a disclaimer limiting am, Ala. RAIL Bnaxn FOB Ran-war Cans. Disclaimer filed October 24, 1935, by the Building Company.

claims 1 and 4 of said patent as follows:

By restricting the other mechanism connected to overcome the suspension mechanism" of claim 1 to other mechanism electrically connected to overcome the suspension mechanism.

By restricting the other devices to position the shoes within the magnetic field adjacent the rails of claim 4 to other electrical devices to position the shoes within the m lQfie'al a November 12, 1935.

etic field adjacent the rails."

DISCLAIMER 1,645,741.Th0mae Elliott, Birmingham, Ala. RAIL BRAKE r011 RAILWAY Cass. Patent dated October 18, 1927. Disclaimer filed October 24, 1935, by the so, The Cincinnati Traction Building Company.

Hereby enters a disclaimer limiting claims 1 and 4 of said patent as follows:

By restricting the other mechanism connected to overcome the suspension mechanism of claim 1 to other mechanism electrically connected to overcome the suspension mechanism.

By restricting the "other devices to position the shoes within the magnetic field adjacent the rails of claim 4 to other electrical devices to position the shoes within the m etic field adjacent the rails.

[Qfiic'ial e lvovember I2, 1935.] 

